A Dagenham-based project is set to convert waste into enough energy to run 35,000 homes.

Thames Gateway Waste to Energy Ltd, a subsidiary of Chinook Urban Mining, secured an 8.5-acre site at London Sustainable Industries Park.

Managing director Peter Hynes expects the site to process up to 180,000 tonnes of municipal, industrial and commercial waste every year to produce low carbon renewable energy.

He said he was delighted at the project’s progress and believes the site will be a boost to the borough.

“This is a very exciting project for us, which will create some 55 new engineering and process jobs as well as bringing significant investment to Dagenham,” he said. “London Sustainable Industries Park forms an important part of the mayor of London’s drive to make the city a leading low carbon capital, and is therefore the ideal launch pad for our first energy from waste project.”

The aquisition for a 999-year lease was overseen by professional services firm Knights, which specialises in real estate, mines and minerals, landed estates and renewable energy.